1 minute read
Will SAP continue in fall?
from Issue 1
BY JESSE TAYLOR Staff Writer
If students are having mental, legal or financial issues, the Student Assistance Program is here to help. SAP launched Nov. 14, 2022. It is a service that students have access to which allows them to connect with counselors and seek aid in the areas of mental health, financial and legal concerns. The program is run by
Advertisement
Business Health Services, a company based out of Maryland that provides for many different colleges. As an example, if a student is suffering from depression or anxiety, has a landlord who isn’t keeping up with repairs, or recently moved off campus and is struggling with keeping to a budget — SAP could help.
SAP was launched using money provided to SUNY Plattsburgh by the Higher
Education Emergency Relief Fund. Since the program launched, 1.6% of SUNY Plattsburgh students have taken advantage of the program. Christy Minck, the assistant director of counseling services, said this number is “an amazing start.” BHS set a goal of 2% student utilization by the end of the year. If the goal is not reached, then SAP will not be able to continue being a counseling option for students.
However, Stephen Matthews, the dean of students, wanted to clarify that the school still does not know exactly what “1.6%” means. Has the program been seeing 1.6% of students, or have 1.6% of students at some point in time contacted SAP? Matthews said that these are the kinds of questions that the school will be asking when considering the future of the program.
The feedback showed the paid interns gained valuable experience in their field, showed an increased investment in their job and sometimes continued to work at the center full-time after graduation. Centers also named children’s exposure to different adults as a benefit.
The only challenges cited in adopting the program were a quick start and the processing of interns’ paperwork. Initially, interns were required to work at least 20 hours a week, which proved difficult for some students. Occasionally, interns realized from their real world experience that they do not like working with young children, but that can also be seen as a benefit, Maillard said.
